Out of school activities for 4 year old boys. Recommendations?

[sharesinNivea]

Too young for any of the Scout groups and the Judo club near us is full of little bruisers, so I'm pretty sure that despite the insistence it's a self defence discipline, judging by the parents that drop their kids off literally with the Staffies on chains and ten dozen Jaydens and Chardonnays hanging off the pushchair, it looks like breeding ground for kids who want to learn fighting not conflict restraint.

Is 4 too young perhaps, having only just started Reception this September?

Which out of school activities does your 4 year old son attend, if any?

Thankyou :)

mine just did swimming lessons at that age.

I second swimming as a good activity. We don't do much more than that outside school as he's exhausted.

Football (mini-kickers) and street dance. He loved Little Tiger Cubs (tae kwon do for 3 - 6yr olds) but we had to stop when he started school as it clashed.

My ds1 is 4.10yo and does football and swimming outside school. He started football aged 3yo when his concentration span was pretty poor, and it was basically a rather hilarious lesson with small boys wandering off frequently to investigate the gym equipment in the corner of the sports hall. He now loves it, concentrates better and is actually quite skilled now. Dh and I both felt that football was a good sport for him to get into, so long as he enjoyed it and we weren't forcing him, as the lads who excel at football at school are rarely the kids who get bullied. Being good at football can give a boy an easier ride through school. Of course it's not the be-all and end-all, but we encouraged it and are glad he likes it so much. Swimming is one of those essential life skills that parents should teach their children. I learned to swim only as a teenager, and missed out on all the kids' parties and fun to be had on holidays, and I didn't want my children to experience that. And the safety aspect was of course a big consideration. There are so many classes they can do - I decided to limit it to two for now.

Yes to football - it is the shortcut to friendship groups in most playgrounds.

I would also recommend Mini Rugby - don't worry, it's non-contact at this age!

Enjoy a ball is a great multi sports programme that covers that age.

mine did dance and swimming at 4.

Dance was easy to get too, swimming rather harder as bus times were rubbish. poor bus service ruled out getting to any " ball sports" activities for his age group.

Swimming, mini football and a drama thing.

Is there any clubs with a "how not to be a snob" focus? Sounds like he's going to need it...

Mine did football and gymnastics at that age

I feel that the first OP was horrible. It is possible to ask about activites for four year olds without being snobbish

In my experience martial arts definately teach restraint. Ds didn't get on with Judo, but loves karate. Karate has more in common with ballet than full blown fighting. Ds hated judo because he did not like rolling about on the floor.

At this age boys and girls often like similar things. DD does a music class, swimming and gymnastics. Boys gymnastics is very different to girls gym if its taught properly. Our gymnastics club has seperate classes for boys and girls and they use different appartus.

Swimming and circus club at the local theatre (wanted him to do gymnastics though).

football/rugby for friendships, teamwork, confidence and exercise.

swimming - but this should be covered in school?

stagecoach/drama/music classes

I would try him at football and rugby, see what he's best at and go for that alongside a drama or music class.

Judo or boxing are too aggressive and wouldn't be my choice of sports for my son.

I'm sorry, but I laughed so hard at your opening paragraph - so funny.

I think OP was taking the piss ReallyTired...all light hearted...

Non contact rugby
Little kids climbing
Ballet

Swimming, gymnastics, drama.

We only did swimming lessons in Reception. They are so tired and so little, I don't think they need any more. There's plenty of time for organised activities when he's a little older.

Reading and cooking with you are lovely activities and he should appreciate the time with you.

ReallyTired But they do have staffies on chains and they actually ARE called Jayden and Chardonnay! I wouldn't send them to Judo if the kids were called Tarquinius and Esme, either. The point is, they're learning to fight. It's not a skill I want my son to learn.

I think swimming lessons looks ideal actually, Thankyou everyone :)

Dd did start a martial arts class towards the very end of reception but I think by then its the summer, holidays are coming up, the nights are lighter and they are much better at coping with the demands of school.

Regardless of what the children are named, I think its important to get a martial arts class that you are happy with. My bfs son was went to one where the sensei was very shouty and when her DS got hurt he was completely uncaring which was very upsetting for him and has put her DS off martial arts. We have been very lucky in that the first club we have tried has very strict but quiet and calm senseis, both make and female, who are very caring and are brilliant role models. They also won't tolerate any fighting with karate out of the club, unless the chikdren are using it in genuine self defence of course

Might be worth waiting till at least after Christmas and trying a club you are more happy with. They get very busy at school before Christmas and it can make them very tired.

My 4 year old doesn't do any. He will start rugby next Sept.

Have a think about putting his namaste down for Beavers to. They can start when they are 6 and there is sometimes a waiting list. The waiting list in our area is long. Ended up putting dd down for rainbows when she was about 2 weeks

What dog owners? With children who actually ARE called Jayden and Chardonnay? Well imagine having your little lord Fauntleroy associating with them.